About Obvious Ventures
At Obvious Ventures, we invest in breakthrough technologies that move humanity forward. As an early-stage venture capital firm, we focus on world positive investments across three critical areas : planetary health, human health, and economic health.
Our portfolio includes category-defining companies like Beyond Meat, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Diamond Foundry, Virta Health, and Devoted Health. We don't just provide capital; we partner with founders to build iconic, purpose-driven brands.
The Opportunity
We're seeking a Marketing Director to join our San Francisco headquarters and lead our event strategy while helping amplify the stories of breakthrough innovations that are reshaping our world. This is an events-heavy role (approximately 60% of your time) where you'll orchestrate meaningful experiences that connect our ecosystem while also building thought leadership and brand presence.
This role sits at the intersection of venture capital, technology, and storytelling. You'll be responsible for elevating Obvious Ventures' community and brand while supporting our mission to accelerate world positive innovation. We're looking for a strategic doer who is excited to roll up their sleeves and build something lasting.
What You'll Do
Event Strategy & Execution (Primary Focus - ~60% of role)
- Plan and execute signature events ranging from intimate founder dinners (10 attendees) to large-scale conferences (200+ attendees)
- Own the complete event lifecycle : strategy, planning, vendor management, logistics, execution, and post-event follow-up
- Manage multiple concurrent events while maintaining exceptional attendee experiences
- Create curated experiences that foster meaningful connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders
- Build and manage relationships with premier venues, caterers, AV providers, and other event partners across the Bay Area and beyond
- Manage event budgets and negotiate contracts with vendors to optimize spend
Content & Thought Leadership
Partner with our investment team, and work directly with Obvious co-founder James Joaquin, to create compelling content that showcases our investment thesis and portfolio company innovationsDevelop and execute content strategies that support and amplify our event programmingHelp our partners articulate complex technological breakthroughs in accessible, engaging waysBuild and maintain relationships with key media contacts and industry influencersBrand & Marketing Operations
Manage marketing campaigns that support portfolio company milestones and firm announcementsCollaborate with portfolio companies on co-marketing initiatives, especially around events and speaking opportunitiesSelect and coordinate with external agencies and vendors as neededCross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with the investment team to identify event opportunities and storytelling momentsSupport portfolio companies with event strategy, speaking opportunities, and connectionsPartner with our operations team on investor relations events and LP communicationsServe as the primary liaison for all event-related activities across internal stakeholdersWhat You Bring
Experience & Skills
5+ years of marketing experience with significant focus on event management, either in-house at a venture firm, technology company, or at a top-tier agencyExtensive experience managing complex event portfolios, with proven ability to execute 10-20+ events annuallyExpert-level event management skills including vendor negotiations, budget management, logistics coordination, and attendee experience designDemonstrated success managing simultaneous events across different formats, scales, and audiencesExceptional project management abilities with experience juggling multiple initiatives simultaneouslyImpeccable attention to detail combined with strategic thinking and creative problem-solvingOutstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiencesTechnical Proficiencies
AI literacy is essential : Must be proficient in leveraging the latest AI tools for content creation, event planning, design, research, and workflow optimizationDo you strive to create pixel-perfect results? Obsess over just the right font for your latest presentation? Those are the visual design skills we’re looking for, with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and / or Figma preferredExperience with marketing automation platforms, CRM systems, and analytics toolsSocial media management across professional platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)Personal Qualities
Deep curiosity about emerging technologies, especially AI, and their potential societal impactComfort working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where AI tools enhance productivity and creativityAbility to think like an owner and take initiative on new opportunitiesPassion for purpose-driven work and sustainable innovationExcellent interpersonal skills and comfort working with C-level executives and foundersDo you love to solve puzzles, both literally and figuratively? We're looking for creative problem-solvers who thrive on untangling complex challenges.Most importantly, you are deeply motivated by our mission . You’re genuinely excited to support entrepreneurs who are working to solve the world’s biggest challenges.
Why Obvious Ventures
World Positive Work : Help accelerate technologies that solve humanity's biggest challengesAccess & Learning : Work directly with breakthrough companies and visionary foundersGrowth Opportunity : Build the marketing function at a growing, successful VC firmCollaborative Culture : Join a team of operators and investors committed to positive impactCompetitive Package : Base salary $175,000-$225,000 plus annual bonus, comprehensive benefits, and 401kReady to Make the Obvious Happen?
If you're excited about using marketing to amplify world-positive innovation, we'd love to hear from you. Please include a cover letter explaining why this role and our mission resonate with you, along with examples of events or campaigns you're particularly proud of.
Obvious Ventures is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.
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